Bevo’s Daily Roundup: Texas athletics may soon be forced to reckon with budget cuts

Texas Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte seemingly senses change on the horizon.

It won’t all be good, either, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

From the Statesman: “In an email to season ticket holders late Sunday, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte hinted at budget cuts, or at least a strong belt tightening, for Longhorns athletics in the coming year because of COVID-19. Citing ‘these challenging times,’ Del Conte asked season ticket holders to consider leaving ‘all or some of your 2020 Texas Football payment with us as a 100% tax-deductible gift.’ It’s the first public acknowledgement from UT athletics that the worldwide pandemic will likely hurt the athletic department’s finances. It’s unclear what kind of budget cuts could be coming, but the school has not announced any coaching salary cuts or job furloughs.”

WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Commitment 101: Texas begins 2022 recruiting class with four-star receiver Phaizon Wilson

Austin American-Statesman: The Dotted Line: Three prospects vying for the top overall spot on our 2021 Fabulous 55 update

Dallas Morning News: It’s the Big 12’s turn to decide on its football schedule. Here is a look at the most likely options that should be considered

247Sports: The Stampede, Part I: Taking the temperature of the Texas board

247Sports: The Stampede, Part II: Notes and tidbits from Pylon Dallas

247Sports: Big 12 Countdown: Could OU take a step back in Big 12 this year?

247Sports: Tom Herman sees two areas where Sam Ehlinger’s game can improve

247Sports: Longhorns find confidence in new coordinators, returning QB

247Sports: Making the case for Joseph Ossai, Caden Sterns as Top 50 players

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

Towson grad transfer RB Shane Simpson commits to Virginia

Texas offers 3-star OT Ryan Lengyel

4-star 2022 WR Phaizon Wilson commits to Texas

LOOK: Texas to wear ‘Splash Shield’ helmet face guard

WHAT WE’RE READING

Banner Society: It’s always been up to the players to change college football

SBNation: The Rock, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital just bought the XFL ... seriously

SBNation: Pac-12 Football Unity demands protection

NEWS ACROSS THE LONGHORN REPUBLIC AND BEYOND

• Texas football is targeting the nation’s No. 2 running back out of the 2021 class, SI All American Camar Wheaton out of Garland Lakeview Centennial, Sports Illustrated reports. From SI: “The Texan could very well be the fastest running back on this list from a football or track and field perspective. Wheaton has some of the most head-turning ‘juice’ in the class when it comes to explosiveness and breakaway ability at any position. His one-cut style and rock solid frame also make for a decisive back going for big yardage without wasted movement. Running with great lean and behind his pads, the strike zone for defenders is maintained to a minimum inside the box or not. Wheaton has the tools to compete in the passing game, too, with that elite speed and some subtle elusiveness in the open field including a dynamic jump cut.”

• Texas head coach Tom Herman is optimistic football will happen in 2020, according to 247Sports. “They want to play,” Herman said last week. “They want to find a way, obviously, with the utmost protection that we can provide them, but they’re very eager to find new and different ways to operate.” He added at a later point, “I think those are probably the two biggest ways that, at least me personally, that I get confidence in is, one, that the players really, really want to play and they’re willing to jump through a lot of hoops in order to get that done. Then, we’ve still — even though I know it’s winding down and every day that passes we have less of it, but as of today, we still have some time.”